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Monday, February 8, 2016

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure

This cow is 3 days old.

[Most of this email is in answer to a question I asked Wyatt:

"I read this in the Ensign this week:

"'Brethren
and sisters, I was born into a multigenerational Latter-day Saint family, so
the blessings and joy of having the gospel of Jesus Christ as the basis of our
family culture was woven into our everyday life. It wasn’t until my full-time
mission as a young man that I realized the incredibly positive impact the
fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ has on those who have never previously
experienced its blessings in their lives. This verse in Matthew reflects the
process that people who are converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ experience:
“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found
and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that
field.'"

"Have you witnessed this in Cambodia? Which of
the people you have taught have most resembled the man who sold all had to buy
the field with the treasure?"]

eating fajitas

There is a guy named Seng Hon in our branch who lives 2
hours away by moto. He rides to church every Sunday and then rides home. His
wife mocks him, and every one around him mocks him. He sells ice cream for just
enough money to scrape by. He literally could have so much more world-wise if
he just gave up the gospel, but of course, that is not his mindset. He loves
the fact that he is part of the true church and has participated in ordinances
that, paired with a life time of giving himself to God, can secure him an inheritance
in heaven.

Of all the people I have taught, though, it would have to be Om Sen
and Om Sok in Chatomuk ward that most resemble the man who sold all he had to buy the field with the treasure. They don't really have anything, but they still
spend the time to bike or take a motodope to church every single week.

Actually it's interesting, because our mission president has
actually just given the mission a new push to stop wasting too much time with
people that aren't going to change and spend more time looking for
"gold," as in the investigators that are going to do just that, sell
all that they have to buy the field. Actually, it's a rather sad story for Cambodia, since about 90% of the members (including less actives and inactives) never
really sold ALL they had. However the 10% that really gave it ALL up make up
for it. They are some of the most faithful and dedicated people to the church,
the gospel, and the missionaries. So hopefully I can look for and find some of
those pieces of "gold."

Wyatt's district looking at dolphins

This morning we went to Kratie (which is pronounced
craw-jeh), so that's why I emailed so late. We wanted to see dolphins, but the
only way to see them up close was to ride a boat out to them, which is against
the rules, so we just stood on a faraway cliff and caught glimpses of their
shiny smooth skin reflecting the sun. So our goal was to go to kratie and look
at dolphins and so we did. It was fun. Good zone bonding on the way
there.